Thursday, October 30, 2014

Literary Lunch returns to the NCS library next beginning Tuesday, November 4. Interested students in grades 6-8 are invited to eat lunch in the library as they listen to our first offering of the year, The Silver Crown. by Robert C. O'Brien. Our guest reader is Mark Ferrero from Skidompha Library. See Mrs. Harriman for details and to receive your "EZ Lunch Line Pass."

On Friday, October 17
the seventh, eighth, and CAL students traveled to
the Damariscotta River Association to gain knowledge of the history of humans
of previous times and how they survived. One of the teachers, David (known
as N'Tapot in Passamaquoddy), taught us about how his family lived in what
is now Northern Maine/Canada and how he learned to make birch bark canoes. He
also told stories that his elders told him to learn life lessons.

David's great
grandfather was the last known birch bark canoe builder. The students learned
about what was safe and what is not recommended to eat. We, as students,
received the opportunity to dig up groundnuts. One student created a
"deadly weapon" with only needles and an old milkweed branch that can
pierce through a tire and the wilderness around him.

Students were divided
into two sections; one group went with Sarah, and the other group went with
David, and then they switched leaders. Sarah’s group walked the property and
gained knowledge about making wigwams and what the Native Americans ate when
they got themselves into a bind and scavenged for any available food to
survive. The second group learned about how David's family had a legacy of
canoe building.

When asked, "What
did David teach you about patience and family?" One fellow student, Noah,
replied, "Patience is worth it afterwards." Finally, the last
question, "Do you find anything to relate to on this adventure?"
Rachael, said, When David talked about
patience with certain things, I understood."

The students of
Nobleboro had a lot fun learning about David's life, how to make wigwams and
more. Every single one of the students came back from that trip knowing
something new.

Cheyenne, Madalyn, Paige, Izzy, Anna, Ashly, and Will enjoyed a day of making music with other 5th & 6th grade students at the Elementary Honors Music Festival on October 25. The young musicians spent many hours singing, playing instruments, and moving to music before performing for a large audience of families and friends. The festival was sponsored by District 3 of the Maine Music Educators Association. * * *

We have a huge event happening at NCS after school on Thursday, November 6. Our school will host the auditions for the District 3 7th and 8th Grade Music Festival.Many students in grades 5-8--including band and chorus--are planning to be hosts at that evening. Ms. Preston is busy making plans. If you have questions or would like to help, please contact Ms. Preston directly by email mpreston@aos93.org or by calling the school, 563-3437.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

This year, NCS is trying out a new format for communication--an office blog! This gives us an opportunity to share information quickly and efficiently. You will be able to access the blog by clicking on the office link found on the NCS homepage, by signing up for updates, or waiting for me to send you a link via email.We hope you'll find this unique view from the NCS office a convenient way to keep up with information and events as the school year unfolds.

Jr. High Basketball season begins this week. Game and practice schedules appear in two places on our web page. You can find up-to-date schedules by looking under our SPORTS section and clicking on the SPORTS & FAMILY INFORMATION on the right hand side of our homepage.

NCS attended the LA Pumpkin Run yesterday with six participants -
Madalyn, Paige, Ben, Maddox, William and Scotty. All of our 5th
and 6th grade runners challenged themselves and finished the
1.5 mile run (which was the goal). Two
participants received medals for finishing in the top 10: Ben was #10 for boys and Madalyn was #10 for
girls. That is impressive considering they were up against many 7th and 8th
grade runners in AOS 93!

We hope to make this an annual event for NCS students. Programs
like Cross Country can be very exciting and fun; it’s also a great way to get
involved at LA with other AOS93 schools.